The circus is coming to town but there’s no big top in sight

Combining performance, music and art, over three days (May 24 to 26), The Body Circus is to bring the beautiful and the original to a range of venues around town.

The event will combine the art of painting the body, with live performances from bands and DJs, costume displays, workshops and activities to suit all ages and tastes.

The biggest name is award-winning body painter Victoria Gugenheim, whose previous clients include the Black Eyed Peas and Nokia.

Her latest exhibition of work will premiere at The Stade Open Space on May 25, from noon to 6pm. She will be transforming a human canvas into a work of art throughout the day.

The circus with a difference begins on Friday with an Urban Arts Show at the Brass Monkey, Havelock Road, tonight (Friday, May 24) from 9pm to 4am, featuring graffiti, body art, street and break dance and circus artistry. Entry is £4.

Tomorrow (Saturday, May 25) at The Stade Open Space, alongside Victoria Gugenheim’s show, from noon to 9.30pm, will be live music from well-known artists such as Kitten and the Hip, King Size Slim, and Nana Tsiboe, as well as dance, drumming from Dende and The Ecstatic Republic of Conga, and martial arts.

This is a free event.

At The Printworks, in Claremont, from 9pm to 4am, will be Brazilica, two floors of African, Latin, Cuban and Brazilian sounds, with music, DJs including Ade Peachment and Latin Dub Sound, circus artistry and dance. Not to mention performances from Dende and The Ecstatic Republic of Conga.

Entry is £7 (£5 advance).

On Sunday, May 26, at The Stade Open Space will be another free event, runninig from noon to 4pm.

There will be unplugged music and various displays and workshops, including face painting, drumming, and circus artistry.

At Black Market, in George Street, from 2pm to 2am will be Avastar, a body art and sci-fi themed experience complete with burlesque and circus artistry, as well as DJs, visuals and projections.

Entry is free.

On Sunday at Flairz, in Havelock Road from noon to 2am, will be live music from rock and metal bands including X up S up, Sanity FM and Chaos Theory.

For full programme details pick up a flyer or visit www.thebodycircus.co.uk or www.facebook.com/TheBodyCircus.